After spending two gratifying years in Cambodia as Education Director for Liger Learning Center, CFF Founder and Board Chair Robert Landau and his family moved to Singapore. A deep connection to Cambodia and the continuing needs of the country inspired Robert and his wife Kate to approach a small group of like-minded colleagues to devote their energy to doing more — CFF was born. The purpose behind CFF came from Saboeun Sao. Saboeun became an economic orphan at a very young age and found himself, as a teenager, living in an orphanage. A generous Australian sponsor recognized his potential for learning and leadership and gave him the gift of education and support, earning him a university degree and an MBA. Saboeun speaks eloquently of this life-changing act of kindness that empowered his destiny. Saboeun told us to help students like him realize their full potential in uniquely deep and sustainable ways through education, service, and leadership. And so we shall.

Our Ultimate Goal

Our ultimate goal of “Nurturing leaders. Changing lives.” started with the identification and selection of a cohort of 16-year-old students with two years of high school remaining before graduation. Through a research-based and tested recruitment process, we identified a cohort of students in March 2014. Final selection of 7 exceptional young leaders was completed in May 2014.

We determined that, due to financial limitations, these students did not and will not have the funds to attend university after high school. This is a stark reality for thousands of young Cambodians who are destined to drop out of school to work in factories or farms, marry at a young age, or move from their province to a bigger city to find work.

We believe, our CFF students will realize their potential and make decisions that will have an impact on their lives, the lives of others, and their community and country.

Currently CFF owns a headquarters and boarding facility in a tranquil neighborhood in Phnom Penh. Our students live together in harmony learning with and from each other. CFF has also opened its doors to other needy university students who cannot afford housing in Phnom Penh. These students are vetted and selected by our Executive Director. These students can take advantage of CFF English classes and workshops.

CFF students have already had a huge impact on their community by designing and implementing projects that benefit others. They have launched a school beautification and tree planting project tat culminated in changing behaviors about trash; a soccer league for boys and girls; and the construction of outdoor toilet facilities for low income families.

CFF is governed by two boards. Our international board (with members living in the USA, Singapore, China, and UAE) is responsible for fundraising and policy development. Our amazing local Cambodian Board is responsible for operations, supervision of our Executive Director, and local rules and regulations.

We hope our students will development and cultivate a passion for a career that has a positive and eternal impact on their country.

WHAT CFF DOES

CFF Founder and Board Chair Robert Landau facilitating a trust and team-building exercise with CFF scholars.

To fulfill CFF’s vision and mission, we start with the identification and selection of a cohort of 16-year-old students in the Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. These students have two years of high school remaining before graduation. Through a research-based and tested recruitment process, we completed the final selection of our first scholar cohort in May 2014. CFF has determined that, due to financial limitations, these students do not and will not have the funds to attend university after high school. This is a stark reality for thousands of young Cambodians who are destined to drop out of school to work in factories or farms, marry at a young age, or move from their province to a major city to find work. CFF believes that for our scholars to realize their full potential and have a positive, beneficial, and lasting impact on their lives, the lives of others, their community, and their country, they must complete a four-part process.

Stage 1

Once selected, each CFF scholar chooses a sustainable community service project focusing on a social, environmental, economic, or health related issue.

CFF scholars are expected to have primary oversight of their projects, including creation, development, and execution.

CFF teaches the students how to write a business plan, create and manage a budget, negotiate for goods and services, lead and manage others, keep journals and records, and use technology, so the students can use such skills to operate their community service project independently.

Based on the business plan or project proposal, CFF students may receive micro-finance loans or funding for their endeavors.

Members of CFF’s Cambodian Team and Global Team will visit the students on a regular basis to monitor progress, offer advice, maintain oversight, and accompany outside experts giving workshops and other educational opportunities.

Friends of CFF, who possess knowledge or skills related to a specific project, are invited to coach our students.

All CFF students will take English courses with an expectation that they will reach a high proficiency level before university. CFF’s scholars receive English training at schools in Kampong Speu Province and through CFF’s Skype English Education Program.

During this time period, CFF will advise its scholars about the university application process.

CFF will ensure that our students receive fair and equitable treatment so they have every opportunity to attend university in Cambodia.

Stage 2

After successfully maintaining his or her project for two years, CFF will provide each graduating student with a full university scholarship that includes tuition, room, board, and insurance.

Before departing for university, each cohort member will assist CFF in recruiting and training his or her replacement — someone who not only meets CFF’s standards, but also agrees to continue the work of an existing CFF community service project to assure continuity and sustainability.

Stage 3

While at university, CFF cohort members must maintain a connection to the Kampong Speu Province and their community service projects, visiting regularly and assisting their colleagues in the field.

Stage 4

During each CFF scholar’s university career, he or she will be closely guided and counseled by CFF’s Cambodia Team, Global Team, and organizational partners and friends.

It is CFF’s hope that each graduating cohort member will choose an employment or leadership opportunity related to his or her original project in the Kampong Speu Province.